Hair comb  and dual comb hair accessory having same

ABSTRACT

An improved hair comb for a dual comb hair accessory ( 11 ) or the like which has strand connections or terminations. The comb includes a spine ( 17 ) having a raised portion ( 19, 21, 23 ) that can advantageously be used to relocate or reorient strand connections to the comb or combs of the hair accessory relative to the plane of the comb, and that can provide a structure into or behind which strand connections, terminations and/or segments can be tucked. Preferably, the raised spine portions of the combs are constructed to form a raised cavity region ( 27 ) in the spine for receiving strand connections, terminations and/or segments.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12/606,119,filed Oct. 26, 2009, now pending, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional application Ser. No. 61/108,467 filed Oct. 24, 2008, both ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to hair accessories which employhair combs and strands of material, typically elastic strands, which areattached to the spines of the hair combs. The invention moreparticularly relates to the combs used in such hair accessory products.

Hair accessory products are used to style and decorate a woman's hair.In one widely used type of hair accessory product, referred to herein asa “dual comb hair accessory,” elastic strands of material are attachedto and interconnect the spines of two opposed combs. The opposed combsare pulled apart so that the elastic strands are stretched, and then thecombs are folded under and inserted into the hair to retain the hair ina desired position. Often, the elastic strands, which can be parallel,braided, intertwined or crisscrossed, are beaded or fabric covered toprovide a decorative element to the accessory.

Plastic combs are often used for dual comb hair accessory products. Anexample is found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,086, which discloses a dual combhair accessory having plastic combs interconnected by fabric coveredelastic bands. However, use of conventional plastic combs involves anumber of difficulties. First, the spine of the comb is by necessityrelatively wide in order to provide sufficient strength and thickness ofmaterial for the attachment openings for the accessory's elasticelements. The large spines create a relatively bulky comb, which isnoticeable in the hair and which is not aesthetically pleasing. Further,when worn, attachment of the elastic strands to strand openings on theflat spines of the combs tends to lift the spine of the combs from thehead, thereby creating stability problems. Still further, theconnections of the elastics on the underside of the comb, such as knotsor other forms of attachment, can create pressure points between thecomb and the scalp, causing discomfort to the wearer. These connectionscan also cause the spine to perch up on the wearer's head, therebyexacerbating the stability problem. Still further the gathering ofstrand connections underneath the spine can sometimes stick out fromunderneath the spine, creating an unsightly look that detracts from thedesired ornamental appearance of the accessory.

The present invention provides an improved hair comb that overcomes theproblems associated with conventional plastic combs used with dual combhair accessories. The improved hair comb of the invention offers greaterstability for the hair accessory, and when worn, permits strandconnections behind the spine to be displaced from areas where they cansometimes be seen and cause discomfort. The present invention alsoprovides a comb having a relatively unobtrusive comb spine that is moreaesthetically pleasing yet durable. Other advantages of the presentinvention will be readily apparent from the following specification andclaims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a hair comb to which strands, and typicallyelastic strands, can be attached. The comb includes a spine having araised portion that can advantageously be used to relocate and/orreorient strand connections (such as knots and/or attachment mechanismsand/or strand segments running behind the spine) relative to the planeof the comb, and that can provide a structure into or behind which suchstrand connections can be tucked. Preferably, the raised spine portionof the comb is constructed to form a raised cavity region in the spinefor receiving the strand segments, connections or terminations.

In another aspect of the invention, a dual comb hair accessory iscomprised of opposed combs, each of which has a raised spine, andstrands interconnecting the combs. The strand segments, connections orterminations are tucked behind or into a cavity region in the raisedspines of the opposed combs. Preferably, the strand openings areprovided on the raised portion of the spines of the combs, such thatstrand-spine connections at the strand openings are elevated relative tothe plane of the comb. From this elevated position, the pulling forceswhich are exerted on the combs by the tensioned strands when the combsare pulled apart are exerted from a higher location on the combs than isthe case with conventional combs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a dual comb hair accessory using two improved hair combs inaccordance with the present invention, wherein strands that connect thecombs are removably attached to the combs using a T-pin attachmentmechanism.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one comb of the dual hair accessoryshown in FIG. 1 (and taken along lines 2-2 in FIG. 3) after theconnecting strands have been attached to the combs of the hairaccessory.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the dual comb hair accessory shown in FIGS.1 and 2 after the strands of material have been attached to the combs,and showing a parallel strand pattern.

FIG. 3A is a top plan view of the dual comb hair accessory shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 after the connecting strands have been threaded throughthe combs, and showing a exemplary crisscross strand pattern.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the dual comb hair accessory asshown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5A is a top front perspective view of the improved hair comb shownin FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 5B is a bottom perspective view thereof.

FIG. 5C is a top rear perspective view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view thereof.

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view thereof.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view thereof.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along lines 9-9 in FIG.6.

FIG. 10A is a top front perspective view of another embodiment of animproved hair comb in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10B is a bottom rear perspective view thereof.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view thereof.

FIG. 12 is a rear elevational view thereof.

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view thereof.

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view thereof.

FIG. 15 is a top front perspective view of further embodiment of animproved hair comb in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of yet another embodiment a hair combin accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of still a further embodiment of ahair comb in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 18 shows a dual comb hair accessory as illustrated in FIG. 1, butwith alternative strand attachment mechanisms in the form of spinecavity plugs for retaining the ends of strands of the hair accessory tothe spines of the combs.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of one comb of the dual hair accessoryshown in FIG. 18 after the strands of material have been attached to thecombs of the accessory and showing the spine cavity plugs snugly fittedinto the raised cavity regions of the spines of the comb.

FIG. 19A is a cross-sectional view of one of the spine cavity plugsshown in FIGS. 18 and 19 affixed to an end of a connecting strand of thehair accessory.

FIG. 20 shows a dual comb hair accessory as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and18, with another possible attachment mechanism for retaining the ends ofstrands of the hair accessory.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-4 show a dual comb hair accessory11 having a plurality of strands 13 extending between and connectingopposed combs 15 in a manner that allows the opposed combs to be foldedunderneath the strands, as best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4. Theconnecting strands are preferably fabricated of a stretchable elasticmaterial, such that the opposed combs can be pulled apart against thestretching force of the elastic strands before the hair accessory isinserted into the hair. The elastic strands provide a restoring forcethat will hold the hair accessory in place. The strands can be made ofan elastic filament or cord, or elastic bands. Preferably, the elasticstrand or strands are made of an elastic material that has a 3-to-1 ormore stretch capability; however, use of strands having a lesser stretchcapability are possible. Suitably, elastic cord can be used that is madeof rubber covered with a woven textile material that prevents hair fromsticking to the rubber. Other elastic materials could be used such aslatex, silicone or a polymer resin.

It will be understood that the parallel configuration of elastic strandsshown in FIGS. 3 is for illustrative purposes only, and that otherstrand configurations could be used to interconnect the combs, includingcrisscrossed strands, partially crisscrossed strands, braided, looped,intertwined and strands of other types, materials, and shapes. Also, thestrands can be decorated with various decorative elements, such as beadsof various sizes and shapes, to provide an aesthetic quality to the hairaccessory, or could be used without any decorative elements. Stillfurther, it is contemplated a single comb in accordance with theinvention could be used with elastic strands that form loops for use asa ponytail holder or the like.

As hereinafter described, the strands 13 of the dual comb accessory 11are attached to the spines of the combs by various forms of strandconnections. As further hereinafter described, this strand connectionscan be made by knotting or tying the ends of the strands or byattachment mechanisms that secure the ends of the strands in place onthe combs. FIGS. 1-2 show an attachment mechanism in the form ofterminal pins in the form of T-pins 14 that are secured to the ends ofthe strands such that the pins can be turned sidewise relative to thestrands. T-pins 14 are suitably small tubes that can be slitlongitudinally so that the ends of the strands can be inserted in thetube slits and tubes crimped onto the strand ends. It will be understoodthat attachment mechanisms other than the illustrated T-pin could beused. Examples of alternative attachment mechanisms will be describedlater in this specification.

Various embodiments of the novel comb of the invention are illustratedin greater detail in FIGS. 5-17. Each of these embodiments ischaracterized by a novel construction that allows the connecting strands13 of the hair accessory 11 to be easily attached to the comb, and thatallows the strand connections (knots, attachment mechanisms and/orstrand segments running behind the spine) to be captured within orbehind the spine above the combs radius of curvature, denoted by theletter R in FIG. 8.

FIGS. 5A-9 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the hair accessory combof the invention. In these figures, the hair comb 15 includes alaterally extending spine 17 having raised portion comprised of a raisedfront edge wall 19 forming the leading edge of the spine, a top wallportion 21 extending rearward from the front edge wall, and a trailingedge wall 23 forming the trailing edge of the spine and terminating at abottom edge 25. Walls 19, 21, and 23 are seen to form a raised cavityregion 27 on the underside 29 of the spine into which connections can betucked. A plurality of comb teeth 29 extend longitudinally from thefront edge wall of the comp's spine 17, preferably along a curvature Rthat allows the combs to more or less conform to the curvature of thehead of the wearer of the dual hair comb accessory. Preferably, thebottom edge 25 of the spine's trailing edge wall will extend downwardlya sufficient distance so that it also lies, or approximately lies, onthe curvature R so that the comb bottom surfaces all follow thecurvature of the wearer's head. However, this trailing edge wall couldbe of other lengths, preferably a shorter length so that the bottom edge25 does not itself create a pressure point on the wear's scalp. (Indeed,as later described, the trailing edge could be eliminated altogether.)Also, the top wall portion 21 could be flat or rounded, or could even bea point formed by intersecting leading and trailing edge walls.

Because of the curvature of the comb, opposed combs 15 of the dual combhair accessory 11 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when worn, will lie more orless flat against the scalp with the elastic strands 13, which stretchacross the hair, pulling on the combs to hold them in place.

To connect the strands of material to the spine of comb 15, such as theelastic strands 13 of the dual hair comb accessory 11 shown in FIGS. 1and 2, the spine is provided with a series of strand openings 31 throughwhich the connecting strands can be threaded. Preferably, these strandopenings are provided, at least in part, in the front edge wall of thespine where they are raised above the level of the comb teeth and areoriented (at least in part) at an angle that is pitched up from theplane of the comb. The raised and pitched-up strand openingsadvantageously raises the strands relative to the plane of the combs andchanges the way the tension exerted by the stretched elastic strandspull on the combs. Instead of pulling on a flat spine along the plane ofthe comb, the strands exert a pulling force from an elevated position.They also pull against a raised wall which inclined upwardly relative tothe curved plane of the comb.

The above-described raised spine construction of comb 15 has stillfurther advantages. In conventional plastic hair combs, the spine issubstantially flat and prone to breakage. To resist breakage the combspine is normally made to be relatively wide thereby producing arelatively bulky looking comb. The raised spine can provide a U-shaped,or partial U-shape spine construction having relatively high structuralintegrity and allows a narrower and thus relatively unobtrusive spine tobe used without sacrificing durability. Also, the raised cavity region27 on the underside of the spine allows strand connections, such asknots or attachment mechanisms as hereinafter described, to be tuckedaway in the spinal structure where they cannot escape or be seen.

The number of strand openings 31 in the comb spine 15 can vary dependingon the intended use of the comb or the desired design of a dual combhair accessory in which the comb is used. Suitably there would be two ormore openings for entry points for two or more connecting strands orstrand segments threaded between opposed combs (or to allow two ends ofa single strand to connect to the comb). Preferably, these openingswould be evenly distributed across the length of the spine to provide abalanced hair accessory, however, an unbalanced strand distributionwould be possible and considered within the scope of the invention. Asingle opening would also be possible, including an elongated opening oropenings extending along the length of the spine. It is alsocontemplated that openings of varied sizes can be used.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5A-9, strand openings 31 are seento be provided between the endmost comb teeth 27 a and their adjacentteeth 27 b and then evenly distributed between successive pairs of combteeth 27 c and 27 d separated by a single comb tooth 27 e, 27 f and 27g, with comb tooth 27 g being the center tooth of the comb. Adjacentcomb teeth are seen to form short and long comb teeth separationchannels 33, 35, with the strand opening 31 positioned behind the shortseparation channels 33, and with the longer separation channels 35extending up into the front edge wall of the spine of the comb betweenthe strand openings. Because hair will flow into the extended length ofthese longer channels—which can for example extend into the spine byabout ¼ inch—the longer channels will permit secure placement of thehair accessory in the hair with greater stability and comfort.

In the illustrated embodiment, a spacing for the strand openings on thespine is selected to provide two long channels between each strandopening and its associated short channel, resulting in a comb having ahigh percentage of long channels and a good distribution of points onthe spine through which connecting strands can be threaded. Also, thedistribution produces a short channel next to each of the outside teeth27 a of the comb, which are preferably wider than the comb's interiorteeth 27 b-g. It is believed that providing relatively wide outsideteeth along with a channel distribution that places the short channelnext to the wider outside teeth of the comb enhances the stability ofthe comb in the hair.

With further reference to FIGS. 5A-9, when viewed in side elevation itis seen that the thickness of each of the comb teeth, as denoted by theletter T in FIG. 9, is relatively uniform over the length of the comband that the comb teeth terminate at rounded ends 37. When seen in fromthe top plan view, the interior long edges 39 of the comb teeth are seento taper inwardly as you move toward the spine of the comb. Thus, thecomb teeth are widest at the base of the teeth and narrow at the roundedends so that the rounded ends are relatively far apart. By keeping theends of the comb teeth far apart, the teeth will tend to flow throughthe hair more uniformly.

While the above-described shape and spacing characteristics of the teethof the comb of the invention are preferred and have particularadvantages, it will be understood that the invention is not limited tocombs having comb teeth with these characteristics. Hair combs having araised spine in accordance with the invention could be provided withcomb teeth of other shapes and having other spacing characteristics,such as parallel teeth having closely spaced tips or staggered rows ofteeth, and could have a greater or fewer number of teeth than shown. Theends of the teeth could also be pointed, flat, square or coated withanother material such as rubber or silicone.

The comb of the invention can be readily and inexpensively fabricated asa molded plastic part using plastics found in conventional hair combs.It would most suitably be fabricated of a durable plastic, such as PET,ABS plastic or polystyrene, but could be made of other materials. Forexample, it is contemplated that the combs could be made of stampedmetal, or could have a metal spine and wire loop teeth. The dimensionsof the comb can vary depending on its intended application. Generally,it is contemplated that combs in accordance with the invention can beprovided in different sizes, with the width of the comb, denoted by theletter W in FIG. 6, suitably ranging 1½ to 3½ inches, and the length ofthe spine, denoted by “L” in FIG. 6, suitably ranging from 1 to 4½inches. A suitable comb thickness (thickness “T” in FIG. 9) wouldsuitably be in the range of 0.1 inches. In the embodiment shown in FIGS.5A-9, this thickness is seen to be substantially uniform over the entirecomb from the ends of the teeth to the bottom edge of the trailing edgewall of the spine. It will be understood that combs having dimensionsother than indicated above are possible and within the scope of theinvention.

As above mentioned, strands of material, typically elastic strands, canbe attached to the spine of the comb in various ways. Desired strandconfigurations could be accomplished using a single strand by weavingthe single strand between the desired strand openings of the comb orcombs and attaching the end points of the strands at the comb spine orspines, such as by knotting or via an attachment mechanism. Or thiscould be accomplished using multiple strands.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 the attachment of multiple strands 13 to combs 15 toform the dual comb hair accessory 11 is shown and is accomplished bysimply holding the ends of the strands and pushing the terminal T-pins14 through the desired strand openings 31 in the raised portion of thecomb's spine 17, as denoted by the arrow A in FIG. 1, and pulling thestrand end back so that the T-pin lodges in a rotated position againstthe back of the opening, where it will be tucked up into the raisedcavity region 27 of the raised spine 27 of the comb, as shown in FIG. 2.If desired, the end of the elastic strand can be threaded down throughone strand opening, run along the underside of the spine, and thenthreaded up through another strand opening on the same comb, whereuponit can be stretched to the opposed comb for threading through a strandopening in the opposed comb. This back-and-forth threading process canbe continued until being terminated by simply allowing the T-pin on thethreaded end to rotate behind the last strand opening through which thestrand end is threaded. During this process, the strands can be threadedwith beads or other decorative elements for form a decorative pattern ofwoven or straight strands between the combs.

Referring to FIGS. 10A-14, a hair comb is shown having an alternativedesign for the raised spine of the comb. Here, the spine 43 of hair comb41 has a raised portion comprising a raised front edge wall 45 thatrises up from a flat front shoulder portion 46 that forms the leadingedge of the spine, and a bent over top wall portion 47. Unlike theembodiment shown in FIGS. 5A-9, the spine of this version of the combhas no trailing edge wall, and thus produces a raised cavity 49 on thecomb's underside 51 that is open in the back. A plurality or elongatedstrand openings 53 extend from the spine's leading shoulder portion upinto the raised front edge wall with one strand opening being providedbehind each separation channel 55 for the longitudinal comb teeth 57. Inthis case the strand openings 53 through which elastic strands can bethreaded are virtual extensions of separation channels 55 and provide agreater number of strand connection points for the strands. As in thepreviously described embodiment, the raised cavity region of the spinestructure will accommodate the tied or fastened ends of connectingstrands and strand segments situated beneath the spin. Also, as in theprior embodiment, the strand openings are elevated relative to thecurved plane of the comb, thus providing for elevated strand connectionsfor improved stability.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 15, the hair comb 59 issimilar to the hair comb 41 shown in FIGS. 10A-14, except the strandopenings 61 are located on the top wall 63 of the comb's spine 65. Thislocation of the strand openings elevates the connection points for thestrands to the top of the raised spine, but does not have the advantageof producing a pulling force on a structure part of the spine that isinclined relative to the curved plane of the comb.

FIG. 16 illustrates a hair comb (comb 67) similar to the embodimentshown in FIGS. 10A-14, including a similar placement of the strandopenings on the front edge wall 69 of the raised spine 71, but withfewer strand openings. In this embodiment the strand openings 72 areseen to be less elongated, and unlike the version shown in FIGS. 10A-14,they do not extend into the spine's front shoulder portion 73.

Yet another possible embodiment of the hair comb of the invention isshown in FIG. 17. Here, the raised spine 75 of hair comb 77 is similarto the open raised spines of the embodiments disclosed in FIGS. 10A-16,except the raised portion 79 of the spine contains no strand openings.Rather, in this embodiment, the strand openings 79 are placed in frontof the raised portion of the spine on the spine's front shoulder portion81. This location of the strand openings relative to the raised portionof the spine is considered to be the least desirable location since itwould produce a dual comb hair accessory that would be less stable whenworn. Nonetheless, the raised portion of the spine would allow strandties or fastening mechanisms and segments of strands running along thespine to be tucked up into the raised cavity on the underside of thespine.

It will be appreciated that other version of the hair comb of theinvention are possible which are not specifically illustrated anddescribed herein. For example, the raised portion of the spine could becomprised of a leading or raised edge wall only, without a bent over topwall portion or a trailing edge wall. In such an embodiment, strandopenings could be provided in the raised edge wall therebyadvantageously elevating the strand openings and connection points forthe strands. Strand knots or attachment mechanisms would be tuckedbehind the raised edge wall and also raised so as to prevent pressurepoints from being produced by the connections on the wearer's head. Acavity region could be provided on the back of such a raised edge wallinto which the strand connections could be tucked.

In another possible embodiment (not shown), the raised portion of thespine could be two or more raised spinal sections which are notcontinuous along the length of the spine. This would create gaps, suchas flat portions of the spine, between the raised spinal sections. Theraised spinal sections would in turn create non-continuous raised cavityportions on the underside of the spine for receiving stand terminationsor connections.

FIGS. 18-20 illustrate alternative attachment mechanisms for thesecuring the ends of the strands of the dual comb hair accessory 11. InFIGS. 18, 19, and 19A, the attachment mechanisms are provided on theform of spine cavity plugs 101. The plugs 101, which are suitably madeof a soft rubber or plastic material, preferably have a half roundshape, and are sized such that the plug's curved side 103 fits snugly inthe raised cavity region 27 on the underside of the spines 17 of combs15. When a plug 101 is pressed by hand into the spine cavity 27 of oneof the combs 15, the plug's flat side 105 will remain tucked within thecavity 27 so that the plug does not protrude from the underside of thecomb and press on the wearer's scalp. The length and width of the plugshould be large enough such that, when pressed into the spine cavity, itwill be retained in the cavity until it is forced or “popped” out of thecavity by a prying force exerted by the user, such as by the user'sfinger.

As best seen in FIG. 19A, the plugs 101 can be attached to the ends ofthe strands 13 by threading the ends of the strands through a hole 107that extends the length of the plug, and then knotting the strand ends.This is done after the strands are threaded through the comb's strandopenings in a desired strand configuration, for example, in a parallelor crisscross configuration. Once the spine cavity plugs are installedon the strand ends and the strand ends knotted, the plugs are slidfirmly up against the strand's knotted ends. Preferably, one end to theplug hole 107 is enlarged to form a recess 109. Thus, by orienting theplug so that its recess end faces the knot 109 made at the end of thestrand, the knot can be pulled into the recess. This not only hides theknot, it also prevents the knot from hanging outside of the plug whereit might lodge between the scalp and the plug, or between the scalp andthe underside of the comb.

It is noted that, instead of threading the strand ends through the plugs101, the plugs could simply be pressed into the spine cavity 27 over theends of the strand to keep the strand ends tucked into the spine cavity.Preferably, the strand ends would be knotted before doing this toprevent the strands from pulling out of the spine.

FIG. 20 shows yet another attachment mechanism for the strands of thedual comb hair accessory 11. In this embodiment, the ends of the strands13 are provided with strand end connectors that can be connectedtogether behind the spines of the combs 15. One end of the strands has afemale connector element 111 and the other end has a male connectorelement 113, and at least one and preferably both of the connectorelements have a sufficiently small profile that allows the connectorelements to be inserted through the combs' strand openings 31. The maleconnector 113 has a base 114, which has an opening (not shown) forreceiving the strand ends, and to which strand ends can be attached suchas by crimping the base onto the strand ends. The female connectorelement similarly has a base end 112 for attachment of this connectorelement to the other ends of the strands. The male and female connectorsare designed such that the user can insert the projecting end of themale connector into the female connector without male connector pullingout of the female connector during use, but such that the connectors canbe later separated by the user. In the version of the connector shown inFIG. 20, the male connector is provided with a metal barbed end 116(with metal barbs 115) that fits into a sheath end 117 of the femaleconnector element, which is suitably fabricated of a soft material suchas latex. The barbs of the male connector will stick in the soft sheathwith enough holding force to keep the ends joined during use. It will beunderstood that connectors types and configurations other thanillustrated in FIG. 20 could be used, including snap connectors and hookand loop fastener such as Velcro®.

Once the strand ends are connected together behind the spine of one ofthe combs as shown by the arrow in FIG. 20, the strand connections cantucked up into the cavity 27 formed on the underside of the spine. Thus,the strand end connections will not protrude below the plane of the combwhere it could press against the wearer's scalp. It will be appreciatedthat the strand end connectors can be used to the attach strand ends ofboth multiple short strands behind each of the comb as shown in FIG. 20,or they can be used to attach the ends of one or a few longer strandsthat are threaded back and forth between the combs. For example, arelatively long single elastic strand having complimentary connectors ateach end could be threaded back and forth between the combs' strandopenings such that the two connector ends both emerge in the cavityregion 27 behind the raised spine of the same comb. (Again, at least oneof the connectors must be sized to fit through the strand openings ofthe combs.) Here they can be joined together to secure the strand ends,and the single strand connection can be tucked into spinal cavity of thecomb behind which the connection is made. The raised cavity region onthe underside of the spine allows the segments of the single strand thatrun behind the comb spines when it is threaded back-and-forth betweenthe combs to be tucked into the spine.

While the present invention has been described in considerable detail inthe forgoing specification and the accompanying, it shall be understoodthat it is not intended that the invention be limited to such detail,except as necessitated by the following claims.

What we claim is:
 1. An improved hair comb for a hair accessory havingstrands of material that attach to and extend from the hair comb, saidhair comb comprising a spine having a raised portion, at least onestrand opening in the raised portion of the spine through which a strandof material can be threaded, and a plurality of teeth extending fromsaid spine.
 2. The improved hair comb of claim 1 wherein a plurality ofstrand openings are distributed across the raised portion of said spine.3. The improved hair comb of claim 2 wherein said strand openings areevenly distributed across the raised portion of said spine.
 4. Theimproved hair comb of claim 1 wherein the raised portion of said spineincludes a raised front edge wall and herein said at least one strandopening is, at least in part, provided in said front edge wall.
 5. Theimproved hair comb of claim 1 wherein the raised portion of said spineincludes a top wall portion, and wherein said at least one strandopening is, at least in part, provided in said top wall portion.
 6. Theimproved hair comb of claim 1 wherein the raised portion of said spineforms a raised cavity region on the underside of said spine into whichstrand connections, such as strand knots or attachment mechanisms, canbe tucked.
 7. The improved hair comb of claim 1 wherein said extendingteeth have a base and an extended end and are characterized by a widthand a thickness, and wherein the thickness thereof is substantiallyuniform over substantially the entire length thereof.
 8. The improvedhair comb of claim 7 wherein ends of the teeth are rounded.
 9. Theimproved hair comb of claim 7 wherein the width of said teeth decreasesat a substantially uniform rate from the base of the teeth to the endsof the teeth.
 10. The improved hair comb of claim 1 wherein comb teethseparation channels are formed between adjacent teeth of the comb,wherein said separation channels include long comb teeth separationchannels that extend into the raised portion of said spine and at leastone short comb teeth separation channel between long comb teethseparation channels, and wherein said strand opening is positioned onthe raised portion of the spine between long separation channels. 11.The improved hair comb of claim 10 wherein one or more long comb teethseparation channels alternate with at least one short comb teethseparation channel and wherein strand openings are provided in theraised portion of the spine behind short comb teeth separation channelsand between the long comb teeth separation channels.
 12. The improvedhair comb of claim 11 wherein a strand opening is provided behind eachshort comb teeth separation channel.
 13. An improved hair comb for ahair accessory having strands of material that attach to and extend fromthe hair comb, said hair comb comprising a laterally extending spinehaving a top side, an underside, a leading edge, a trailing edge, saidspine further having a raised portion along its length which forms araised cavity region on the underside of said spine into which strandconnections, such as strand knots or attachment mechanisms, can betucked, a plurality of strand openings provided along the length of saidspine and through which strands of material can be threaded, and aplurality of teeth extending longitudinally from the leading edge ofsaid spine.
 14. The improved hair comb of claim 13 wherein said strandopenings are provided in the raised portion of the spine such thatstrands of material threaded therethrough thread directly into saidcavity region.
 15. The improved hair comb of claim 13 wherein the raisedportion of said spine is formed by a raised front edge wall that extendsupwardly from the spine and a top wall portion extending rearward fromsaid raised front edge wall, said raised cavity region being formed atleast in part by said front edge wall and top wall portion.
 16. Theimproved hair comb of claim 15 wherein said raised portion furtherincludes a trailing edge wall that extends downwardly from the top wallportion of the raised portion of said spine wherein said raised cavityregion is formed by said front and trailing edge walls and said top wallportion.
 17. The improved hair comb of claim 15 wherein said strandopenings are provided, at least in part, in the raised front edge wallof the raised portion of said spine.
 18. The improved hair comb of claim17 wherein said strand openings extend from the front edge wall of theraised portion of said spine into the top wall portion of said raisedportion.
 19. The improved hair comb of claim 15 wherein comb teethseparation channels are formed between adjacent teeth of the comb,wherein said separation channels include long comb teeth separationchannels that extend into at least the front edge wall of the raisedportion of said spine and at least one short comb tooth separationchannel between long comb teeth separation channels, and wherein saidstrand openings are positioned between long separation channels.
 20. Theimproved hair comb of claim 19 wherein said long separation channelsextend into the top wall of the raised portion of said spine.
 21. Animproved hair comb for a hair accessory having strands of material thatattach to and extend from the hair comb, said hair comb comprising alaterally extending spine having a raised front edge wall that extendsupwardly from the spine, a top wall portion extending rearward from saidraised front edge, and a trailing edge wall extending downwardly fromthe top wall portion, said front edge wall, top wall portion andtrailing edge wall forming a raised portion that provides a raisedcavity region on the underside of said spine into which strandconnections, such as strand knots or attachment mechanisms, can betucked, a plurality of strand openings provided along the length of saidspine and through which strands of material can be threaded, said strandopenings being provided, at least in part, in the raised front edge wallof the raised portion of said spine, and a plurality of teeth extendinglongitudinally from the said spine.
 22. The improved hair comb of claim21 wherein comb teeth separation channels are formed between adjacentteeth of the comb, wherein said separation channels include long combteeth separation channels that extend at least into the front edge wallof the raised portion of said spine and at least one short comb teethseparation channel between long comb teeth separation channels, andwherein said strand openings are positioned between long comb teethseparation channels.
 23. The improved hair comb of claim 22 wherein saidlong comb teeth separation channels extend into the top wall of theraised portion of said spine.
 24. The improved hair comb of claim 23wherein said strand openings extend from the front edge wall of theraised portion of said spine into the top wall portion of said raisedportion.
 25. A dual comb hair accessory comprising dual combs, each ofsaid dual combs being comprised of a spine having a raised portion andan underside, at least one strand opening in the raised portion of thespine, and a plurality of teeth extending from said spine, and at leastone strand connecting the spines of the dual comb through the at leastone strand opening in the raised portion of the spines of the dual combsto form strand connections on the raised portion of the spine, such thatthe spines of the combs oppose each other and such that the combs can bestretched apart and rotated about the strand connections on the raisedportion of the spine under the at least one strand for insertion intothe wearer's hair.
 26. The dual comb hair accessory of claim 25 whereinsaid at least one strand is an elastic strand.
 27. The dual comb hairaccessory of claim 25 wherein the raised portion of the spines of saidcombs are formed at least in part by a raised front edge wall thatextends upwardly from the spine and a top wall portion extendingrearward from said raised front edge wall, said front edge wall and topwall portion forming a raised cavity region on the underside of saidspine into which terminations or connections of the strand made behindthe spines of the combs can be tucked.
 28. The dual comb hair accessoryof claim 25 wherein a plurality of strand openings are distributedacross the raised portion of said spine, and wherein said at least onestrand connects the spines of the dual comb through at least two strandopenings in the raised portion of the spines of each of the dual combs.29. The dual comb hair accessory of claim 28 wherein said strandopenings are evenly distributed across the raised portion of the spinesof the dual combs.
 30. The dual comb hair accessory of claim 25 whereinthe at least one strand opening is, at least in part, provided in thefront edge wall of the raised portion of the spines of the dual combs.31. The dual comb hair accessory claim 25 wherein the at least onestrand opening is, at least in part, provided in said top wall portionthe spines of the dual combs.
 32. The dual comb hair accessory claim 27wherein the raised portions of the spines of the dual combs furtherinclude a trailing edge wall that extends downwardly from the top wallportion of the spines of the combs, wherein the raised cavity regions onthe underside of the spines of the dual combs are formed by the spine'sfront and trailing edge walls and top wall portion.
 33. A dual comb hairaccessory comprising dual combs, each of said dual combs being comprisedof a spine having a raised portion, the raised portion of the spines ofsaid combs being formed at least in part by a raised front edge wallthat extends upwardly from the spine and a top wall portion extendingrearward from said raised front edge, said front edge wall and top wallportion forming a raised cavity region on the underside of said spine, aplurality of strand openings in the raised portion of the spine, and aplurality of teeth extending from said spine, and at least one elasticstrand connecting the spines of the dual comb through the at least onestrand opening in the raised portion of the spines of the dual combs,such that the spines of the combs oppose each other and such that thecombs can stretched apart and rotated under the at least one strand forinsertion into the wearer's hair, the terminations or connections of theelastic strand being made on the underside of the spine of the combssuch that they can be tucked into the spine's raised cavity region.